Structure and Mechanistic Insights into Novel Iron-mediated Moonlighting Functions of Human J-protein Cochaperone, Dph4

J-proteins are obligate cochaperones of Hsp70s and stimulate their ATPase activity via the J-domain. Although the functions of J-proteins have been well understood in the context of Hsp70s, their additional co-evolved ``physiological functions'' are still elusive. We report here the solution structure and mechanism of novel iron-mediated functional roles of human Dph4, a type III J-protein playing a vital role in diphthamide biosynthesis and normal development. The NMR structure of Dph4 reveals two domains: a conserved J-domain and a CSL-domain connected via a flexible linker-helix. The linker-helix modulates the conformational flexibility between the two domains, regulating thereby the protein function. Dph4 exhibits a unique ability to bind iron in tetrahedral coordination geometry through cysteines of its CSL-domain. The oxidized Fe-Dph4 shows characteristic UV-visible and electron paramagnetic resonance spectral properties similar to rubredoxins. Iron-bound Dph4 (Fe-Dph4) also undergoes oligomerization, thus potentially functioning as a transient ``iron storage protein,'' thereby regulating the intracellular iron homeostasis. Remarkably, Fe-Dph4 exhibits vital redox and electron carrier activity, which is critical for important metabolic reactions, including diphthamide biosynthesis. Further, we observed that Fe-Dph4 is conformationally better poised to perform Hsp70-dependent functions, thus underlining the significance of iron binding in Dph4. Yeast Jjj3, a functional ortholog of human Dph4 also shows a similar iron-binding property, indicating the conserved nature of iron sequestration across species. Taken together, our findings provide invaluable evidence in favor of additional co-evolved specialized functions of J-proteins, previously not well appreciated.

Low temperature charge transport and microwave absorption of carbon coated iron nanoparticles-polymer composite films

In this paper, the low temperature electrical conductivity and microwave absorption properties of carbon coated iron nanoparticles-polyvinyl chloride composite films are investigated for different filler fractions. The filler particles are prepared by the pyrolysis of ferrocene at 980 degrees C and embedded in polyvinyl chloride matrix. The high resolution transmission electron micrographs of the filler material have shown a 5 nm thin layer graphitic carbon covering over iron particles. The room temperature electrical conductivity of the composite film changes by 10 orders of magnitude with the increase of filler concentration. A percolation threshold of 2.2 and an electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) of similar to 18.6 dB in 26.5-40 GHz range are observed for 50 wt% loading. The charge transport follows three dimensional variable range hopping conduction. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Iron(III) Chloride-Catalysed Aerobic Reduction of Olefins using Aqueous Hydrazine at Ambient Temperature

A chemoselective reduction of olefins and acetylenes is demonstrated by employing catalytic amounts of ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3 center dot 6H(2)O) and aqueous hydrazine (NH2NH2 center dot H2O) as hydrogen source at room temperature. The reduction is chemoselective and tolerates a variety of reducible functional groups. Unlike other metal-catalysed reduction methods, the present method employs a minimum amount of aqueous hydrazine (1.5-2 equiv.). Also, the scope of this method is demonstrated in the synthesis of ibuprofen in aqueous medium.

Enhancing the magnetic characteristics of BiFeO3 nanoparticles by Ca, Ba co-doping

Multiferroic nanoparticles (NPs) of pristine and Ca, Ba co-doped BiFeO3 were synthesized by a facile sal gel route. Co-doping was done by fixing the total dopant concentration at 5 mol% and then the relative concentrations of Ca and Ba was varied. Structural, optical and magnetic properties of the NPs were investigated using different techniques. UV-Vis absorption spectra of BiFeO3 NPs showed a substantial blue shift of similar to 100 nm (530 nm -> 430 nm) on Ca. Ba co-doping which corresponds to increase in band gap by 0.5 eV. Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy confirmed that iron is present only in 3(+) valence state in all co-doped samples. The coercive field increased by 18 times for Bi0.95Ca0.01Ba0.04FeO3 samples, which is the maximum enhancement, observed amongst all the 5 mol% doped samples. At the equimolar (2.5 mol % each) concentration of co-dopants, the coercive field shows a significant enhancement of about 9 times (220 Oe -> 2014 Oe) with concomitant increase in saturation magnetization by 7 times. Thus, equimolar co-doping causes simultaneous enhancement of the twin aspects of magnetic properties thereby making them better suited for device applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cyclodextrin functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanocrystals: a host-carrier for magnetic separation of non-polar molecules and arsenic from aqueous media

A single-step magnetic separation procedure that can remove both organic pollutants and arsenic from contaminated water is clearly a desirable goal. Here we show that water dispersible magnetite nanoparticles prepared by anchoring carboxymethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CMCD) cavities to the surface of magnetic nanoparticles are suitable host carriers for such a process. Monodisperse, 10 nm, spherical magnetite, Fe3O4, nanocrystals were prepared by the thermal decomposition of FeOOH. Trace amounts of antiferromagnet, FeO, present in the particles provides an exchange bias field that results in a high superparamagnetic blocking temperature and appreciable magnetization values that facilitate easy separation of the nanocrystals from aqueous dispersions on application of modest magnetic fields. We show here that small molecules like naphthalene and naphthol can be removed from aqueous media by forming inclusion complexes with the anchored cavities of the CMCD-Fe3O4 nanocrystals followed by separation of the nanocrystals by application of a magnetic field. The adsorption properties of the iron oxide surface towards As ions are unaffected by the CMCD capping so it too can be simultaneously removed in the separation process. The CMCD-Fe3O4 nanocrystals provide a versatile platform for magnetic separation with potential applications in water remediation.

Nuclear targeting terpyridine iron(II) complexes for cellular imaging and remarkable photocytotoxicity

Iron(II) complexes Fe(L)(2)](2+) as perchlorate (1-3) and chloride (1a-3a) salts, where L is 4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2 `'-terpyridine (phtpy in 1, 1a), 4'-(9-anthracenyl)-2,2':6',2 `'-terpyridine (antpy in 2, 2a) and 4'-(1-pyrenyl)-2,2':6',2 `'-terpyridine (pytpy in 3, 3a), were prepared and their photocytotoxicity studied. The diamagnetic complexes 1-3 having an FeN6 core showed an Fe(III)-Fe(II) redox couple near 1.0 V vs. saturated calomel electrode in MeCN-0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate. Complexes 2 and 3, in addition, displayed a quasi-reversible ligand-based redox process near 0.0 V. The redox and spectral properties are rationalized from the theoretical studies. The complexes bind to DNA in a partial intercalative mode. The pytpy complex efficiently photo-cleaves DNA in green light via superoxide and hydroxyl radical formation. The antpy and pytpy complexes exhibited a remarkable photocytotoxic effect in HeLa cancer cells (IC50, similar to 9 mu M) in visible light (400-700 nm), while remaining essentially nontoxic in dark (IC50, similar to 90 mu M). Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside the HeLa cells was evidenced from the fluorescence enhancement of dichlorofluorescein upon treatment with the pytpy complex followed by photo-exposure. The antpy and pytpy complexes were used for cellular imaging. Confocal imaging and dual staining study using propidium iodide (PI) showed nuclear localization of the complexes. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acoustic and optical phonon dynamics from femtosecond time-resolved optical spectroscopy of the superconducting iron pnictide Ca(Fe0.944Co0.056)(2)As-2

We report the temperature evolution of coherently excited acoustic and optical phonon dynamics in the superconducting iron pnictide single crystal Ca(Fe0.944Co0.056)(2)As-2 across the spin density wave transition at T-SDW similar to 85 K and the superconducting transition at T-SC similar to 20 K. The strain pulse propagation model applied to the generation of the acoustic phonons yields the temperature dependence of the optical constants, and longitudinal and transverse sound velocities in the temperature range from 3.1 K to 300 K. The frequency and dephasing times of the phonons show anomalous temperature dependence below T-SC indicating a coupling of these low-energy excitations with the Cooper-pair quasiparticles. A maximum in the amplitude of the acoustic modes at T similar to 170 is seen, attributed to spin fluctuations and strong spin-lattice coupling before T-SDW. Copyright (c) EPLA, 2012

Synthesis of zero valent iron nanoparticles and application to removal of arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) from water

Recently nano scale zero valent iron particles (nZVI) have been considered as smart adsorbent for environmental and groundwater remediation. Although several synthetic methods are available for the preparation of nZVI, air stable nZVI are not available for remediation works. Further, challenges demand synthesis of nZVI without stabilizers and capping agents. A modified methodology for the synthesis of air stable nZVI has been developed without any capping agents and characterized by powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy-dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The results of the present study suggest that the synthetic nZVI are air-stable over a period of one year and consists of particles of 30-40 nm in diameter. Although a layer of less than 3 am thick oxide/hydroxide is observed by TEM and XPS, it appears to be due to oxidation of outer surface during analysis. Adsorption study has shown that the synthetic nZVI are more effective adsorbent than the commercial nZVI and can remove simultaneously arsenite As-III] and arsenate As-V] from water without prior reduction of As-V to As-III. The removal process is adsorptive rather than precipitative and the removal of As-III is greater than that of As-V.

Ultrafast quasiparticle relaxation dynamics in superconducting iron pnictide Ca(Fe0.944Co0.056)(2)As-2

Nonequilibrium quasiparticle relaxation dynamics is reported in superconducting Ca(Fe0.944Co0.056)(2)As-2 single crystals by measuring transient reflectivity changes using femtosecond time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy. Large changes in the temperature-dependent differential reflectivity values in the vicinity of the spin density wave (T-SDW) and superconducting (T-SC) transition temperatures of the sample have been inferred to have charge gap opening at those temperatures. We have estimated the zero-temperature charge gap value in the superconducting state to be similar to 1.8k(B)T(SC) and an electron-phonon coupling constant lambda of similar to 0.1 in the normal state that signifies the weak coupling in iron pnictides. From the peculiar temperature-dependence of the quasiparticle dynamics in the intermediate temperature region between T-SC and T-SDW we infer a temperature scale where the charge gap associated with the spin ordered phase is maximum and closes on either side while approaching the two phase transition temperatures.

Characterization and magnetic response of multiwall carbon nanotubes filled with iron nanoparticles of different aspect ratios

Three samples of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) TF200, TF150 and TF100, where T and F stand for toluene and ferrocene respectively, and numeral denotes the amount (mg) of ferrocene] filled with iron-nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) of different aspect ratios are grown by chemical vapor deposition of toluene-ferrocene mixture. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis shows a systematic variation in the intensities of peak corresponding to Fe, indicating that Fe is present in different amounts in the three MWCNT samples. The lengths of Fe-NPs lie in the range of 200-250; 80-120; and 30-40 nm for TF200, TF150 and TF100, respectively, as estimated statistically from transmission electron microscopy micrographs. However, the diameter of the encapsulated Fe-NPs does not vary significantly for different samples and is 20-30 nm for all samples. Hysteresis loop measurements on these MWCNT samples were done at 10, 150 and 300 K up to an applied field of 1.5 T. At 10 K, values of coercivity are 2584, 2315, and 2251 Oe for TF200, TF150 and TF100 respectively. This is attributed to the strong shape anisotropy of the Fe-NPs and significant dipolar interactions between them. Further, M-H loops reveal that saturation magnetization of TF200 is almost four times that of TF100 at all temperatures.

Biotin-conjugated tumour-targeting photocytotoxic iron(III) complexes

Iron(III) complexes FeL(B)] (1-4) of a tetradentate phenolate-based ligand (H3L) and biotin-conjugated dipyridophenazine bases (B), viz. 7-aminodipyrido 3,2-a: 2',3'-c]-phenazine (dppza in 1), (N-dipyrido3,2-a: 2',3'-c]-phenazino) amidobiotin (dppzNB in 2), dipyrido 3,2-a: 2',3'-c]-phenazine-11-carboxylic acid (dppzc in 3) and 2-((2-biotinamido) ethyl) amidodipyrido 3,2-a: 2',3'-c]-phenazine (dppzCB in 4) are prepared, characterized and their interaction with streptavidin and DNA and their photocytotoxicity and cellular uptake in various cells studied. The high-spin iron(III) complexes display Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple near -0.7V versus saturated calomel electrode in dimethyl sulfoxide-0.1M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate. The complexes show non-specific interaction with DNA as determined from the binding studies. Complexes with appended biotin moiety show similar binding to streptavidin as that of free biotin, suggesting biotin conjugation to dppz does not cause any loss in its binding affinity to streptavidin. The photocytotoxicity of the complexes is tested in HepG2, HeLa and HEK293 cell lines. Complex 2 shows higher photocytotoxicity in HepG2 cells than in HeLa or HEK293, forming reactive oxygen species. This effect is attributed to the presence of overexpressed sodium-dependent multi-vitamin transporters in HepG2 cells. Microscopic studies in HepG2 cells show internalization of the biotin complexes 2 and 4 essentially occurring by receptor-mediated endocytosis, which is similar to that of native biotin and biotin fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate.

Spatial memory deficits in maternal iron deficiency paradigms are associated with altered glucocorticoid levels

``The goal of this study was to examine the effect of maternal iron deficiency on the developing hippocampus in order to define a developmental window for this effect, and to see whether iron deficiency causes changes in glucocorticoid levels. The study was carried out using pre-natal, post-natal, and pre + post-natal iron deficiency paradigm. Iron deficient pregnant dams and their pups displayed elevated corticosterone which, in turn, differentially affected glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in the CA1 and the dentate gyrus. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) was reduced in the hippocampi of pups following elevated corticosterone levels. Reduced neurogenesis at P7 was seen in pups born to iron deficient mothers, and these pups had reduced numbers of hippocampal pyramidal and granule cells as adults. Hippocampal subdivision volumes also were altered. The structural and molecular defects in the pups were correlated with radial arm maze performance; reference memory function was especially affected. Pups from dams that were iron deficient throughout pregnancy and lactation displayed the complete spectrum of defects, while pups from dams that were iron deficient only during pregnancy or during lactation displayed subsets of defects. These findings show that maternal iron deficiency is associated with altered levels of corticosterone and GR expression, and with spatial memory deficits in their pups.'' (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Synthesis of pure iron magnetic nanoparticles in large quantity

Free nanoparticles of iron (Fe) and their colloids with high saturation magnetization are in demand for medical and microfluidic applications. However, the oxide layer that forms during processing has made such synthesis a formidable challenge. Lowering the synthesis temperature decreases rate of oxidation and hence provides a new way of producing pure metallic nanoparticles prone to oxidation in bulk amount (large quantity). In this paper we have proposed a methodology that is designed with the knowledge of thermodynamic imperatives of oxidation to obtain almost oxygen-free iron nanoparticles, with or without any organic capping by controlled milling at low temperatures in a specially designed high-energy ball mill with the possibility of bulk production. The particles can be ultrasonicated to produce colloids and can be bio-capped to produce transparent solution. The magnetic properties of these nanoparticles confirm their superiority for possible biomedical and other applications.

Developments in Biotechnology for Environmentally Benign Iron Ore Beneficiation

Biomineralization and biogenesis of iron ore deposits are illustrated in relation to indigenous microorganisms inhabiting iron ore mines. Aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms indigenous to iron oxide mineralization are analyzed. Microbially-induced flotation and flocculation of iron ore minerals such as hematite, alumina, calcite and quartz are discussed with respect to use of four types of microorganisms, namely, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. The role of the above organisms in the removal of silica, alumina, clays and apatite from hematite is illustrated with respect to mineral-specific bioreagents, surface chemical changes and microbe-mineral interaction mechanisms. Silica and alumina removal from real iron ores through biobeneficiation is outlined. Environmental benefits of biobeneficiation are demonstrated with respect to biodegradation of toxic reagents and environmentally-safe waste disposal and processing.

Carbohydrate-Appended Tumor Targeting Iron(III) Complexes Showing Photocytotoxicity in Red Light

Glucose-appended photocytotoxic iron(III) complexes of a tridentate Schiff base phenolate ligand Fe(bpyag) (L)] (NO3) (1-3), where bpyag is N,N-bis(2- pyridylmethyl)-2-aminoethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and H2L is 3-(2-hydroxyphenylimino)-1-phenylbutan-1-one (H(2)phap) in 1, 3-(2-hydroxyphenylimino)-9-anthrylbutan-1-one (H(2)anap) 2, and 3- (2-hydroxyphenylimino)-1-pyrenylbutan-1-one (H(2)pyap) in 3, were synthesized and characterized. The complex Fe(dpma)(anapn(NO3) (4), having bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)benzylamine (dpma), in which the glucose moiety of bpyag is substituted by a phenyl group, was used as a control, and the complex Fe(dpma)(anap)](PF6) (4a) was structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structure shows a FeN4O2 core in a distorted octahedral geometry. The high-spin iron(III) complexes with magnetic moment value of similar to 5.9 mu(B) showed a low-energy phenolate-to-Fe(III) charge-transfer (CT) absorption band as a shoulder near 500 nm with a tail extending to 700 nm and an irreversible Fe(III)-Fe(II) redox couple near -0.6 V versus saturated calomel electrode. The complexes are avid binders to calf thymus DNA and showed photocleavage of supercoiled pUC19 DNA in red (647 nm) and green (532 nm) light. Complexes 2 and 3 displayed significant photocytotoxicity in red light, with an IC50 value of similar to 20 mu M in HeLa and HaCaT cells, and no significant toxicity in dark. The cell death is via an apoptotic pathway, by generation of reactive oxygen species. Preferential internalization of the carbohydrate-appended complexes 2 and 3 was evidenced in HeLa cells as compared to the control complex 4. A 5-fold increase in the cellular uptake was observed for the active complexes in HeLa cells. The photophysical properties of the complexes are rationalized from the density functional theory calculations.